Affordable and Clean Energy

This research addresses the critical issue of wildlife intrusions in Indian agriculture. By designing an innovative IoT-based system that utilizes AI technology to identify and deter specific species, it offers a practical solution to reduce crop losses and enhance food security. The project holds significant potential for Indian communities’ efforts to promote sustainable agriculture and rural development by safeguarding both livelihoods and biodiversity, aligning with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Low temperatures in various regions create substantial hurdles for efficient Anaerobic Digestion systems, impacting methane production.. This research explores the enhancement of gober waste management through anaerobic digestion aiming to bolster biogas production, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and sanitation issues. The research strongly emphasizes SDG 5,6, 7, and 13.

Clean cooking adoption poses a significant challenge in rural villages of Rajasthan due to cultural norms and limited infrastructure. This study employs a multi-dimensional analysis to unravel barriers hindering the uptake of cleaner cooking practices. By leveraging multi-criteria decision tools, geospatial methods, and participatory rural appraisal (PRA) techniques, the research aims to overcome these obstacles. Additionally, the study prioritizes building resilience within these communities. Through a focus on sustainable cooking practices, it aims to fortify rural Rajasthan against climate-related challenges, fostering resilience in the face of environmental uncertainties while enhancing livelihoods and ensuring environmental sustainability.

The goal of the project is to address the village’s groundwater challenges by understanding local perspectives, identifying potential zones, quantifying resources, and developing sustainable management strategies. Through water quality analysis, geophysical surveys, and community engagement, the study aims to understand the availability and suitability of groundwater. Additionally, from the findings, it aims to design and implement accessible and efficient strategies for sustainable management ( rain water harvesting) or usage of groundwater (household level purification system from the locally available material) to ensure safe and clean drinking water in the community.

Achieving targets 7.1.1 and 7.1.2 of Sustainable Development Goal 7 include the transition from household unclean cooking energy sources and technologies to household clean cooking energy sources and technologies. However, rural areas are endemic to the use of solid fuels and traditional technologies to meet their household cooking purposes. The case is not different from rural India. Taking the case study of Guptapada village, a rural village in one of the energy-deprived states in India, the study seeks to employ a participatory approach in understanding the current energy sources and technologies for household cooking, the access level of clean cooking energy sources and technologies, patterns and factor affecting adoption and use of household cooking energy sources and technologies and chart a course for implementing a suitable intervention for a sustainable household clean cooking in the region. Being a village in the forest zone of the state and having livelihood problem, the intervention will be aligned to improve livelihood in the region while ensuring that household clean cooking is achieved.

The world is undergoing a critical energy transition, shifting from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources. Achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), is crucial for mitigating climate change, reducing poverty, and promoting economic growth. This study investigates the social dimensions of energy transition in Dewgain, a rural Indian village plagued by unreliable electricity. Through a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys, interviews, participatory appraisal, and focus groups, this research examines the complex relationships between energy access, socioeconomic factors, and community perceptions. The objective of the study is to employ the Multi-level perspective (MLP), the social shaping of technology, (SST) and the diffusion of innovation (DOI) frameworks to examine the understanding and perceptions of renewable energy (RE) among diverse social actors in Dewgain, to analyze the influence of social factors on the adoption of renewable energy solutions in Dewgain, to identify drivers, barriers, and strategies for successful stakeholder adoption of RE, and to empower Dewgain by assisting a transition to sustainable energy that enhances the quality of life guarantees long-term energy availability and promotes sustainable practices.

The locally available biowaste materials such as agricultural waste, household waste, cattle manure, lignocellulose, and fly ash are collected and converted to activated carbon using pyrolysis. Further, the generated activated carbon is used to develop sustainable batteries and water purifiers. This method also creates new modes of livelihood and healthy waste management practices.

The banana plantain (Musa paradisiaca) is one of the oldest cultivated crops, known for its fruit. This study investigates the potential utilization of banana biomass in creating naturally dyed textiles through a community-based approach. It addresses the lack of co-development with village communities for chemical-free dyeing using various banana plant parts, the limited exploration of dyeing process sustainability, and the potential income generation from community-produced natural dyed textiles. Preliminary studies shows the use of banana extracts for natural dyeing. This research aims to establish sustainable dyeing practices, converting banana waste into valuable resources and supporting community development.